We routinely use 1% periodic acid instead of chromic
acid for oxidation in our methenamine silver stain for
fungus.  However, according to Sheehan & Hrapchak
(Theory and Practice of Histotechnology), chromic acid
is preferred to periodic acid because it is a stronger
oxidizer and results in less background staining than
periodic acid.  But since chromic acid is more
hazardous, we prefer to use periodic acid in our lab.

Kelly Booher, B.S., HTL (ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology
Swedish Medical Center, Providence Campus
Seattle, WA  98122

--- Noreen Gilman  wrote:
> Once again I find myself asking for special stain
> help from my fellow histonetters. This concerns the
> GMS stain. One of my techs tells me that a friend of
> hers from another hospital is using Periodic Acid
> instead of Chromic acid, and that there is a written
> procedure for it. I must admit that I have been out
> of the technical area for several years, and I had
> never heard of this. They are going to fax me a
> copy, but I thought I'd get some feedback from you
> guys first.
> TIA
> Noreen
> 
> Noreen S. Gilman, HT (ASCP) CLS
> Supervisor Histopathology
> Broward General Medical Center
> Ft. Lauderdale, FL 3316
> 954-355-5592 Phone
> 954-355-4139 Fax
> ngilman@nbhd.org
> 


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